Yucca Species, Adam's Needle, Needle-Palm, Spoonleaf Yucca
Yucca filamentosa
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Genus: | Yucca (YUK-uh) (Info) |
Species: | filamentosa (fil-uh-men-TOH-suh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Yucca filamentosa var. bracteata |
Synonym: | Yucca filamentosa var. elmensis |
Synonym: | Yucca filamentosa foliis-aureovariegata |
Synonym: | Yucca filamentosa var. laevigata |
Synonym: | Yucca filamentosa var. latifolia |

Category:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Ornamental Grasses and Bamboo
Perennials
Shrubs
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Good Fall Color
Veined
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; direct sow after last frost
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Alabaster, Alabama
Auburn, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Centre, Alabama
Cullman, Alabama
Decatur, Alabama
Gaylesville, Alabama
Haleyville, Alabama
Springville, Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama(2 reports)
Los Angeles, California
Menifee, California
Pittsburg, California
Susanville, California
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Stamford, Connecticut
Bear, Delaware
Middletown, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Bartow, Florida
Big Pine Key, Florida
Hampton, Florida
Hudson, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Cordele, Georgia
Villa Rica, Georgia
Warner Robins, Georgia(2 reports)
Winterville, Georgia
Anna, Illinois
Belleville, Illinois
Bloomington, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois(4 reports)
Jacksonville, Illinois
Palmyra, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Saint Charles, Illinois
Greenfield, Indiana
Plainfield, Indiana
Burlington, Iowa
Muscatine, Iowa
Plainfield, Iowa
Solon, Iowa
Parsons, Kansas
Barbourville, Kentucky
Hanson, Kentucky
Melbourne, Kentucky
Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Coushatta, Louisiana
Centreville, Maryland
Laurel, Maryland
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Roslindale, Massachusetts
Detroit, Michigan
Rogers City, Michigan
South Lyon, Michigan
Utica, Michigan
Anoka, Minnesota
Lakeville, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Red Wing, Minnesota
Mathiston, Mississippi
Saucier, Mississippi
Cole Camp, Missouri
Saint Louis, Missouri
Alpine, New York
Brooklyn, New York
Buffalo, New York
Rochester, New York
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Marion, North Carolina
Bucyrus, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
Hilliard, Ohio
Saint Marys, Ohio
Youngstown, Ohio
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Bend, Oregon
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Tenmile, Oregon
California, Pennsylvania
Fenelton, Pennsylvania
Greencastle, Pennsylvania
Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
Saint Thomas, Pennsylvania
Watsontown, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Conway, South Carolina
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Viola, Tennessee
Westmoreland, Tennessee
Aransas Pass, Texas
Bastrop, Texas
Buffalo, Texas
Bulverde, Texas
Lindon, Utah
Magna, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
West Dummerston, Vermont
Blacksburg, Virginia
Midland, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Suffolk, Virginia
Kalama, Washington
North Sultan, Washington
Orchards, Washington
Port Orchard, Washington
Sultan, Washington
White Center, Washington
De Pere, Wisconsin
Lena, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mukwonago, Wisconsin
Porterfield, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Mar 1, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: A dramatic, exotic looking evergreen shrub/perennial. In the right place, this is a great looking plant. It makes a good focal point in a border. It's also tough as nails. |
Neutral | On Feb 6, 2014, Rickwebb from Downingtown, PA wrote: In the right kind of landscape theme, this perennial looks great, but oftentimes it is a sore thumb in the wrong places. It looks good in seashore or desert themed landscapes with rocks, gravel,and sand and goes well with grasses, hard pines, junipers, Northern Bayberry, Lilies and other monocots. Once planted, it is hard to eradicate as it keeps coming up from thick, fleshy roots. I see it growing native along the shore of southern Delaware. |
Positive | On Jul 14, 2013, Chinandega81 from Mexicali, I planted a single Yucca in Madison, WI (zone 5) five years ago this summer, and always wondered why it never flowered. I thought it might be because of too much rain, pewny summers that were too cool and moist, not enough sun, overly harsh winters, etc. I never experienced the problems or issues that posters farthur south did regarding out of control behavior. I even wondered if the harsh Upper Midwest winters, cold Springs and early Falls played a roll. Add to that, a long, deep snow cover for many months and I wasn't too positive if my Yucca was all that happy, since it's leaves got weighed down by snow every Winter and looked shabby come Spring (yet it always sprung back in Summer). But what gave me hope that my yucca would some day bloom was to that I had seen other yuccas in Southern... read more |
Neutral | On Jun 20, 2013, Gaiagirl from Midland, VA wrote: This plant is starting to become invasive in my area. I have a large voluntary specimen near my front porch where nothing ever seems to grow well for some reason, so I'm willing to give it a shot. But throughout the county this year, I see the things popping up like giant prehistoric weeds, along with Russian Olive and other seldom-encountered species. |
Positive | On Feb 25, 2013, kmm44 from Dayton, OH wrote: My experiences with yucca (I forgot there was another name for it) have been mostly positive. Truthfully, I have a love-hate relationship with it. I love the hardiness of it and the evergreen quality during the yucky OH winters. I also love the look of the flowers. I have learned to live with the negatives. |
Negative | On Feb 20, 2013, mpwifey from Colorado Springs, CO wrote: Colorado Springs has yucca growing naturally all over the place. |
Positive | On Feb 19, 2013, ej_the_dj from Warner Robins, GA wrote: I just thought this plant was native to Georgia, and other places where tropical plants grow easily. I have not tried any 'experiments' or anything with this plant. It has bloomed a few times, and I've lived in this location most of my life. (My childhood home). I can only guess that the people who long-ago lived here before us, put it here. It has one pup, and I did not try to re-locate it because the spiney leaves are very sharp and did not want to risk getting cut. These two plants are side-by-side to each other and are in front of the house. The flowers hang upside-down, are bell-shaped, and white/creamy for it's color. And, they also have a nice scent, although I had to be careful of the spiney leaves when I walked-up to it. I do not wish to move it because I like them where they are.... read more |
Positive | On Jan 21, 2013, ohyoubigsilly from Ramsey, MN (Zone 4a) wrote: Here in Minnesota, it's always a treat to find tropical-looking plants that can survive subzero weather in winter, so naturally I decided to pick this up a few years ago and plant it next to my koi pond. What a great, care-free plant! I was worried it wouldn't survive a string of -20ºF lows two winters ago, but sure enough by spring, it was still green and thriving. It also takes a lot of abuse, as the deer chomp on it all winter long, but it grows back larger and stronger every year. |
Positive | On Apr 30, 2012, LJinWBPA from Wilkes-Barre, PA (Zone 6b) wrote: I rescued mine from the woods where a landscaper must have dumped it a few years ago (maybe 6 or 7). At the time I felt it was the closest thing I'd ever have to a palm tree. Adam's Needle Yuccas are relatively common in Northeast PA. They seem to take some effort to transplant and establish but after that they are here to stay. Last week I felt it was getting too big for the spot it was in and thought I would remove the suckers ,trim the dead parts (not an easy task), and try an experiment. I have been attempting hardy palms here for several years. 2 of the supposedly hardiest palms (Needle, Sabal Minor) sort of resemble yuccas at a distance. I thought I'd remove the lower leaves and all the lower suckers and it seems to have an 8 to 9 inch (roughly) trunk. I wish I would have thou... read more |
Positive | On Apr 23, 2011, SuburbanNinja80 from Plainfield, IN (Zone 6a) wrote: I Had this Plant in my yard For Years. I love it. But this year it got badly Burned by Ice Storm and this lives on like Champ. |
Positive | On Jan 18, 2011, glochid15 from Parsons, KS (Zone 6b) wrote: You can often see them growing on hillsides along highways in rather large clusters. They don't seem to be picky about growing conditions; they only demand sufficient sunlight. We have quite a few growing wild on our property, and they seem to grow fine in the native clay soil. The large flower stalks are a bonus. |
Positive | On Dec 7, 2010, Alexwtf_93 from Susanville, CA wrote: i started my plants from pups i got off a larger plant, they now grow wherever i plant them, it takes new plants a couple years to bloom, but after that they usually bloom every year .. very nice looking plant |
Neutral | On Dec 12, 2007, NoLawns from Warrenville, IL wrote: Easy to grow plant. You can plant them and forget about them. Mine only flowers once every 3-5 years though. Foliage does look nice all year long. Brush snow off them if you want to keep the foliage neater. |
Positive | On Sep 24, 2007, WUVIE from Hulbert, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: A positive vote for this Yucca due it's durability, sharing factor and winter endurance. Please note,this is my opinion. ;-) |
Neutral | On Oct 30, 2006, JodyC from Palmyra, IL (Zone 5b) wrote: These are growing wild about 1/2 mile from here..they cover a hillside along the road..I'm going to have to go dig one up and bring it home..I just love it when they are in bloom...:-) |
Positive | On Jul 15, 2006, rubygloomrox from Red Wing, MN wrote: I love this plant and have recieved a lot of compliments on it. Many of my friends went and got some of their own. I have mine with some rose bushes, and it stands out and really adds something to the scenery. |
Positive | On Apr 19, 2006, Hikaro_Takayama from Fayetteville, PA (Zone 6b) wrote: Many people grow these plants around where I live because of their evergreen, tropical looking foliage and their beautiful flowers. I have seen some that have escaped cultivation and are growing in weedy, vacant lots. We have three established clumps in our yard, and they are really pretty, especially in the winter, when everything else is brown and dead looking, and the summer (around June), when they put up 5 ft tall flower spikes. I have also planted some at the edge of a small stream through the woods behind our house in hopes that they can push out the garlic mustard, and even have bought one of the attractive varigated cultivars from a local nursery. I reccomend these to all cold-area gardeners to add a bit of the tropics to your yard. |
Neutral | On Feb 8, 2006, raisedbedbob from Walkerton, VA (Zone 7a) wrote: American Indians used the root in salves and poultices for sores, skin diseases and sprains. Pounded roots were put in water to stupefy corralled fish so they would float to the surface for easy harvesting. |
Negative | On Apr 16, 2005, LisaTWade from Alabaster, AL (Zone 7b) wrote: My grandad had these growing by his drainage ditch for years in Indianapolis. I collected seeds and dug up some starts and now have my own patch of them in Alabama. My plants have tended to form clumps of plants instead of staying as one solitary plant. I would rather it just stay as one yucca plant. It is very difficult to remove them, so like another user stated, plant them where you want them to stay forever. And put them where you won't mind if they grow a few offsets. When my yuccas bloom, the leaf-footed bug (leptoglossus phyllopus) comes and breeds on the blooms, causing them to turn yucky and brown. My plants rarely go to seed I think because the bugs are eating the pods or blooms. |
Positive | On Feb 24, 2005, RRRupert123 from Solon, IA wrote: I found one of these yuccas in a ditch accross from a cemetery. the person who put it there actually didn't PUT it there. the person threw it accross the road and it started growing. now i have atleast 25 of these plants. (you can cut off a part of the root and put it under ground and it will grow a whole new plant) my yucca now has a half a foot trunk; i don't know if the trunk will grow any larger. |
Positive | On Apr 14, 2004, sue1952 from Utica, MI wrote: In SE Michigan - We had one of these in the garden and were advised to divide when we revamped our landscape. Hard to dig up - but once divided even grew faster and more prolific. In three years we have taken over 20 "pups" off of 3 plants. These are terrific for foundation plantings - a different look for those who are tired of the traditional evergreens. |
Positive | On Jan 21, 2003, Lavanda from Mcallen, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: The blooms of this plant can be used to make a cool, refreshing beverage. It is made by brewing a tea with them, sweetening to taste, and served at room temperature or with ice. |
Negative | On Jan 9, 2003, mystic from Ewing, KY (Zone 6a) wrote: Grow this plant where you want it to grow forever! Once started its near impossible to get rid of. Any little piece of tuber will make a new plant.I have dug it up and thought I had it all and the next thing you know its back again. I even had it come through landscape cloth and 3 ft of soil where I had put raised beds over where it was. |
Positive | On Jan 9, 2003, ButterflyGardnr from Orlando, FL (Zone 9b) wrote: This plant is very easy to grow and has a very unique form. It likes full sun and well-drained, sandy soils. There is mutualism between the yucca plant and the yucca moth. The moth gains food and shelter from the plant; in return the moth polinates the plant. |
Positive | On Aug 26, 2002, lupinelover from Grove City, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: Super easy to grow tropical-looking plant. All that is required is adequate drainage and some sun. Once you have it, it is there for keeps! Tuber-like growths in the root area ensure the plant stays, regardless of whether the top is removed or not. All parts of the plant are usable: root tubers are edible, leaves can be woven as fiber, and the flowers are delicious to eat as well as to smell. Super-easy to grow from seed, there are many named cultivars that are variegated, and that have different color flowers. Very attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. |